12/06/2014
Women with breast cancer who exercised during treatment felt like they had more energy and did not gain as much weight as patients who didn't exercise
Women with breast cancer who exercise have an improved outcome compared to those who do not.
Physical activity may prevent tumor development by lowering hormone levels, particularly in premenopausal women; lowering levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), improving the immune response; assisting with weight maintenance to avoid a high body mass and excess body fat
"Several recent studies suggest that higher levels of physical activity are associated with a reduced risk of the cancer coming back, and a longer survival after a cancer diagnosis," said Kerry Courneya, PhD, professor and Canada Research Chair in Physical Activity and Cancer at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada.
Existing evidence shows a decreasing risk of breast cancer as the frequency and duration of physical activity increase. Most studies suggest that 30 to 60 minutes per day of moderate- to high-intensity physical activity is associated with a reduction in breast cancer risk .
The relationship between physical activity and breast cancer incidence has been extensively studied, with over 60 studies published in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Most studies indicate that physically active women have a lower risk of developing breast cancer than inactive women
